A Pilot Study to Assess Inhalation Exposures among Sugarcane Workers in Guatemala: Implications for Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Origin
Open Access
- 7 August 2020
- journal article
- research article
- Published by MDPI AG in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
- Vol. 17 (16), 5708
- https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17165708
Abstract
Background: Sugarcane workers in Central America experience a heavy burden of chronic kidney disease of unknown origin. We conducted a pilot study among worker proxies in Guatemala to characterize exposures to particulate matter, silica, heavy metals, and glyphosate, as well as to examine potential nephrotoxic exposures. Methods: Air, soil, and ash samples were collected and analyzed using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The average mass concentration for particulate matter (PM)2.5 and PM100 exposures were 360 µg/m3 (range: 32 to 1500 µg/m3) and 555 µg/m3 (range: 229 to 1170 µg/m3), respectively. The elemental composition of particles was largely silicon. The amount of crystalline silica was below 5 μg, yet the percentage of total silica was ~17% by weight. Putatively, the silica was in the amorphous form. Concentrations of aluminum and calcium ranged from 2–7 μg/m3. Glyphosate was not detectable in analyzed air samples but was detectable at concentrations ranging from 81–165 ppb in soil samples. Conclusion: Sugarcane workers are exposed to high concentrations of particulate matter. Future studies should investigate the potential role of silica, heavy metals, and agrochemicals in the etiology of chronic kidney disease in this population.Keywords
Funding Information
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (R21-ES028826 and supplement R21-ES028826-01)
This publication has 66 references indexed in Scilit:
- Chronic kidney disease of uncertain aetiology: prevalence and causative factors in a developing countryBMC Nephrology, 2013
- Heat exposure in sugarcane harvesters in Costa RicaAmerican Journal of Industrial Medicine, 2013
- The Central American Epidemic of CKDClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, 2013
- Thoracic and respirable particle definitions for human health risk assessmentParticle and Fibre Toxicology, 2013
- Burnt Sugarcane Harvesting – Cardiovascular Effects on a Group of Healthy Workers, BrazilPLOS ONE, 2012
- Decreased Kidney Function Among Agricultural Workers in El SalvadorAmerican Journal of Kidney Diseases, 2012
- Occupational Silica Exposure and Chronic Kidney DiseaseRenal Failure, 2011
- Occurrence and fate of the herbicide glyphosate and its degradate aminomethylphosphonic acid in the atmosphereEnvironmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 2011
- Exposure to inhalable dust and endotoxins in agricultural industriesJournal of Environmental Monitoring, 2005
- THE BASIS OF DUST SAMPLING IN OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE: A CRITICAL REVIEWThe Annals of Occupational Hygiene, 1981